An internationally known chef, best-selling author and TV host, Curtis Stone is inspired by Mother Nature to keep his delicious recipes simple, using local, seasonal and organic ingredients. Curtis is the host of BRAVO’s Top Chef Duels, and is a regular guest co-host on The Chew. He is also a familiar face from shows including The Today Show, Ellen, Conan, The Talk, The Biggest Loser and Celebrity Apprentice. In the last year, Curtis launched his eco-driven cookware Curtis Stone Kitchen Solutions on HSN, and watched his fifth cookbook, What’s For Dinner? hit the New York Times bestseller list. Curtis recently returned to his culinary roots by opening his first restaurant, Maude, in Beverly Hills.

Question: What is your favorite destination and why?
Answer: Miami. I love that city. I love the water, it’s so great with the beautiful beaches and it’s great for scuba diving. You can do so many different things there. You travel about 20 minutes and you’re in the swampland. Or you go the other way and find all these beautiful caves. I also love the atmosphere. There’s a very South American feel to it. And don’t get me started on the food!

Question: Where haven’t you been that you would like to go?
Answer: My beautiful wife Lindsay is half Korean so I’m itching to go to Korea with her and our two-year-old boy Hud; I’ve never been before. I’ve traveled through a lot of Asia but never to Korea. I love their food and I’ve been introduced to so many of their incredible traditions through Linds and her family.

Question: What one item is a must-have when you travel?
Answer: An ID and credit card and I’m good to go. I like being a little unequipped. It’s what you don’t bring with you that’s important. As soon as you have too much stuff with you — too many plans and guidebooks — you spend too much time with your head in a book. The most exciting thing about traveling is the people you meet and getting the local experience from them. Who knows better where the best taco stand is than your taxi driver?

Question: Where do you go to relax and “chill out?”
Answer: I’d probably have to say Hawaii. I don’t know if it gets any more relaxing than these tropical islands. It’s only a five-hour flight from L.A. so I love that I can be in total paradise following just one quick flight. One short flight is such a breeze for this boy born and raised Down Under!

Question: Where do you like to go that’s easily accessible?
Answer: When I can grab a day off here and there, I’m very happy to do simple day trips in Southern California. I love to jump in the car with Linds and Hud and cruise down to Malibu Beach, have lunch overlooking the aqua blue Pacific Ocean water, play in the sand with Hud, try to squeeze in a surf if I’m lucky and finish the day with an incredible sunset.

Question: If you had just one trip to plan, what would it be?
Answer: A big outback trip in the Northern Territory, Oz is sitting pretty close to the top of my bucket list. The Northern Territory is two and a half times the size of Texas and has so much to offer both the international and local traveler. I don’t like to take my big adventure vacations lying down so I’d love to trek through King’s Canyon, check out the wildlife at Alice Springs National Park and get amongst the lush, greenery of Kakadu National Park.

"Take Home Chef" by Joseph Trotz is licensed under CC BY 2.0